Peelable Packaging

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are peelable packaging and packages. A package includes a body including a plurality of peelable strips defined by perforation lines and a replaceable cap configured to fit one or more of the plurality of peelable strips. Each peelable strip is peelable from the body to access a material contained within the package.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to packaging and in particular, packages formed from peelable strips.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for peelable packaging. In an implementation, a package includes a body including a plurality of peelable strips defined by perforation lines and a replaceable cap configured to fit one or more of the plurality of peelable strips. Each peelable strip is peelable from the body to access a material contained within the package. The replaceable cap configured to fit on the remaining peelable strips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and are incorporated into and thus constitute a part of this specification. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a peelable package in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a single peelable strip in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram of a peelable package of how a cap fits on later peelable strips if peelable strips are peeled in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram of a peelable package in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 5 is a view of an example peelable package with a cap removed in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 6 is a view of an example peelable package with a cap removed and some peelable strips peeled away in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 7 is a view of an example peelable package with a cap after some peelable strips have been peeled away in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 8 is a view of an example single peelable strip in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway view of an example peelable package with a material in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 10 is a view of an example peelable package in a non-peeled state with perforations on the outside in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an example peelable package in a non-peeled state with perforations on the outside in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram of a film for in-mold labeling in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram of the film of FIG. 12 in a molded form in accordance with implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and descriptions provided herein may be simplified to illustrate aspects of the described embodiments that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein disclosed processes, machines, manufactures, and/or compositions of matter, while eliminating for the purpose of clarity other aspects that may be found in typical similar devices, systems, compositions and methods. Those of ordinary skill may thus recognize that other elements and/or steps may be desirable or necessary to implement the packages, devices, systems, compositions and methods described herein. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, a discussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art in light of the discussion herein.

Embodiments are provided throughout so that this disclosure is sufficiently thorough and fully conveys the scope of the disclosed embodiments to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific aspects, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Nevertheless, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain specific disclosed details need not be employed, and that embodiments may be embodied in different forms. As such, the exemplary embodiments set forth should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The steps, processes, and operations described herein are thus not to be construed as necessarily requiring their respective performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as a preferred or required order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed, in place of or in conjunction with the disclosed aspects.

Yet further, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, steps or aspects, these elements, steps or aspects should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element or aspect from another. Thus, terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, step, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, step, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

The non-limiting embodiments described herein are with respect to peelable packaging and packages. The peelable packaging and packages may be modified for a variety of applications and uses while remaining within the spirit and scope of the claims. The embodiments and variations described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope and spirit. The descriptions herein may be applicable to all embodiments of the device and the methods for making the devices.

Disclosed herein are implementations of peelable packaging and packages. The implementations shown are illustrative and other implementations are within the scope of the specification and claims described herein. For purposes of illustration, certain aspects, features, and the like are described with respect to implementations. These aspects, features, and the like are appropriately applicable to and interchangeable with other implementations described herein.

In implementations, the peelable packaging and packages described herein use a combination of injection molding (IM), in-mold labeling (IML), lamination, and other like processing to fuse, weld, or bond (collectively “fuse”) an injection molded frame or structure with a film, paper, biodegradable layer, and the like. In implementations, the peelable packaging is hybrid package using a combination of semi-rigid, flexible, composite, and paper-based structures.

In implementations, each peelable strip of the peelable packaging is recyclable or biodegradable. In implementations, each peelable strip can be made from sustainable materials, recyclable materials, biodegradable materials, bio-based resins, and the like.

FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a peelable package 100 in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations. The peelable package 100 includes a cap 110, a body 120 including a plurality of peelable strips 130, and a seal 140. Each of the plurality of peelable strips 130 includes a peelable strip body 132 and a tab 134. In implementations, the plurality of peelable strips 130 are tearbands. In implementations, the tearbands are equatorial or axial relative to or across the body 120. In implementations, the plurality of peelable strips 130 are implemented using a tear strip mechanism. In implementations, the plurality of peelable strips 130 are each defined by one or more perforation lines 136 in the body 120. In implementations, the body 120 can formed using injection molding and similar techniques. In implementations, the one or more perforation lines 136 are formed by slitting the body 120. In implementations, the one or more perforation lines 134 are equatorial or axial relative to or across the body 120. In implementations, the seal 140 is fused to the body 120. In implementations, the cap 110 can include branding information.

Operationally, the cap 110 and the body 120 can be sent to a customer or client for placing a material in the package 100. The material, substance, and the like (collectively “usable material”) can be a deodorant, a candy, a food item, a cosmetic, and the like. The customer or client can then close the package 100 by fitting the cap 110 on the body 120. In implementations, the cap 110 is snap fit to an appropriate one or more of the plurality of peelable strips 130. In implementations, the cap 110 is friction fit to an appropriate one or more of the plurality of peelable strips 130. In implementations, each of the plurality of peelable strips 130 provides mechanical retention of the cap 110.

For accessing the usable material, a user can remove the cap 110 from the body 120. One of the peelable strips 130 can then be peeled away from the body 120 of the peelable package 100 by pulling on an appropriate tab 132. This exposes the usable material contained in the peelable package 100. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a single peelable strip 200 which illustrates a first position 210 and a second position 220 when the peelable strip 200 is peeled away from a body such as the body 120. After accessing the usable material, the cap 110 can then be fitted back on the remaining plurality of peelable strips 130. This is shown for example in FIG. 3 , where the cap 110 moves from a first position 300 to a second position 310 after a peelable strip 320 is peeled away.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram of a peelable package 400 in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations. The peelable package 400 can include a removeable cap 410 and a stack of interconnected tearaway bands 420, where each interconnected tearaway band includes a tearaway band 422 and a tab 424. The interconnected tearaway bands 420 are separated by one or more perforation lines (not shown). The interconnected tearaway bands 420 each have a mechanism for retaining the removeable cap 410. In implementations, the mechanism can be a snap fit mechanism. In implementations, the mechanism can be a frictional fit mechanism. FIG. 5 is a view of the peelable package 400 with the removeable cap 410 removed. FIG. 6 is a view of the peelable package 400 with a number of the interconnected tearaway bands 420 removed. FIG. 7 is a view of an the peelable package 400 with the removeable cap 410 re-fitted on a remaining stack 700 of the interconnected tearaway bands 420. FIG. 8 is a view of an example interconnected tearaway band 420 which includes the tearaway band 422 and the tab 424.

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway view of an example peelable package 900 with a material 910 in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations. The peelable package 900 has removable strips 920, each removable strip with a band portion 922 and a tab 924.

FIG. 10 is an internal cutaway view of the peelable package 900 in a non-peeled state in accordance with implementations. The peelable package 900 has removable strips 920, each removable strip with a band portion 922 and a tab 924. Each of the removable strips 920 is defined by one or more perforation lines 930. In implementations, the one or more perforation lines 930 are on an internal facing side. In implementations, the one or more perforation lines 930 are on an external facing side. The peelable package 900 further includes a cap 940 for closing the peelable package 900. The cap 940 can be fitted on and retained by each of the removable strips 920. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the peelable package 900 in a non-peeled state with the perforation lines 930 on the inside in accordance with implementations.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram of a film 1200 for in-mold labeling in accordance with implementations. The film 1200 includes a plurality of perforation lines 1210. In implementations, the film 1200 can be made from sustainable materials, paper, bio-based materials, recyclable materials, biodegradable materials, and the like.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram of a peelable package 1300 using the film 1200 of FIG. 12 in accordance with implementations. In implementations, the film 1200 is molded around a usable material (not shown) to form the peelable package 1300. The peelable package 1300 can be manufactured using a combination of techniques including, but not limited to, in-mold labeling, molding techniques, lamination, and like assembly techniques. The peelable package 1300 includes perforation lines 1310 which define peelable layers 1320. In implementations, the perforation lines 1310 can be provided internal to the peelable package 1300. In implementations, the perforation lines 1310 can be provided external to the peelable package 1300. In implementations, the film 1200 can be molded to provide tab areas 1330 to enable peeling of the peelable layer 1320. For example, a portion of the ends of the film 1200 can overlap to establish the tab area 1330. In implementations, a cap (not shown) can be friction fit or snap fit to an applicable peelable layer 1320. In implementations, the peelable layers 1320 provide mechanical retention of the cap. In implementations, a seal 1340 can be part of the film 1200. In implementations, the seal 1340 can be fused, bonded, or the like to the film 1200 or to an edge o the film 1200 during the molding process.

In implementations, an injected molded frame or skeleton can be formed using compression molding, injection molding, and other like production processes. The injected molded frame can include, for example, a molded strip with tabs as described herein. In implementations, the injected molded frame can include a seal. A film, such as film 1200, can be in-mold labeled to the injected molded frame to create the peelable package as described herein.

The peelable packages described herein may be manufactured using compression molding, injection molding and other like production processes. The peelable packages may be made from biodegradable materials, recyclable materials, sustainable materials, and the like.

The construction and arrangement of the methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials and components, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A package comprising: a body including a plurality of peelable strips defined by perforation lines; and a replaceable cap configured to fit on a topmost peelable strip of the plurality of peelable strips, wherein each peelable strip is peelable from the body to access a material contained within the package.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the perforation lines are on an interior surface of the body.
 3. The package of claim 1, wherein the perforation lines are on an exterior surface of the body.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the replaceable cap is snap fit to the topmost peelable strip.
 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the replaceable cap is friction fit to the topmost peelable strip.
 6. The package of claim 1, wherein each of the peelable strips include a mechanical retention of the replaceable cap.
 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the perforation lines are formed by slitting the body.
 8. The package of claim 1, wherein each of the peelable strips includes a tab for peeling away one or more of the peelable strips.
 9. The package of claim 1, wherein a seal is bonded to a lower most peelable strip.
 10. A package comprising: a stack of interconnected tearaway bands, at least one perforation line between adjacent tearaway bands; and a replaceable cap configured to fit on a topmost tearaway band of the stack of interconnected tearaway bands strips, wherein each tearaway band is tearable from the body to access a material contained within the package.
 11. The package of claim 10, wherein perforation lines are internally disposed relative to the material.
 12. The package of claim 10, wherein perforation lines are visible.
 13. The package of claim 10, wherein the replaceable cap is snap fit to the topmost tearaway band.
 14. The package of claim 10, wherein the replaceable cap is friction fit to the topmost tearaway band.
 15. The package of claim 10, wherein each of the tearaway bands include a mechanical retention of the replaceable cap.
 16. The package of claim 10, wherein each of the tearaway bands includes a tab for tearing away one or more of the tearaway bands.
 17. The package of claim 10, wherein a seal is bonded to a lower most tearaway band.
 18. A package comprising: a film molded around a material, the film having a plurality of perforation lines defining peelable layers, wherein each peelable layer is removeable to access a material contained within the package.
 19. The package of claim 18, wherein ends of the film can overlap to establish a tab for removing a peelable layer.
 20. The package of claim 18, wherein a seal is bonded to one edge of the film.
 21. The package of claim 18, wherein the film includes seal.
 22. The package of claim 18, wherein a replaceable cap can be fit to one edge of the film. 